ATLANTA -
It's one of Georgia's most beloved recreation areas, but it can also be one of the most dangerous.
Those who know the Chattahoochee best say they see it every year; people throwing caution to wind and winding up in trouble on the river. They want to enjoy what river has to offer, but say know before you go.
Every year, more than 3 million people visit the Chattahoochee River and every year, the Department of Natural Resources say they want to remind people of possible dangers.
The Chattahoochee offers just about everything an outdoor lover could want. It's nothing but miles of serene surroundings and peaceful waters. And then of course there's the fishing.
But park officials say don't let Mother Nature fool you.
"The river is very deceptive," said Dave Thomas of the National Park Service.
The river is 48 miles long; starting at the Buford Dam going all the way to Peachtree Creek. Many people simply enjoy getting friends together and floating in water.
Thomas says floaters can get in trouble fast.
"It's beautiful, but everything looks the same. You float under a bridge and you don't even know what that bridge is," said Thomas.
"I've seen people flip their canoes out there on the river and we've had to grab their stuff for them. They get out they're not sure they get into the rapids and they get nervous or scared," said river rafter Donald Rampley.
The water can change from calm to quick in matter of seconds. And a dam release can make it rise as much as 11 feet. Park officials say pay attention to mile markers they've installed. Should you need to call for help, those will help rescuers find you.
"This past year we had 49 drownings in the state of Georgia, 11 boat fatalities. And approximately 90 percent of those that drowned did not have a life jacket on," said Sgt. Mike Burgamy of the Department of Natural Resources.
Sgt. Mike Burgamy says life jackets are the law from the Buford dam to the Interstate 20 bridge. But he recommends them anytime you're in the water. He says make sure it's the right size and fits your frame.
No one wants a good time going wrong.
"You need to really be looking at it before you ever get on and it's always a best bet to say today's probably not a good day to get on the river," said Burgamy.
The National Parks Service has started a river host program where volunteers greet you in the parking lot to answer any questions you have and to warn you of spots you need to watch out for.
For more information, here are a list of sites and phone numbers:
Georgia DNR
www.georgiawildlife.com and www.safeboatingcampaign.com
National Park Service
www.nps.gov/chat and http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm
River Host Program: To volunteer as a River Host and receive training contact Dave Thomas at 678.538.1244 or at david_a_thomas@nps.gov
Corps of Engineers
http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier/
http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier/ContactUs.htm
Water release schedule: 770-945-1466
Those who know the Chattahoochee best say they see it every year; people throwing caution to wind and winding up in trouble on the river.
